Oil prices rise as global leaders react to U.S. midterm results
International media and officials responded to Democratic gains in Congress, with some citing cost-of-living pressures and others warning of shifts in foreign policy.
By Samir Doyle ·
The price of oil and other goods has risen since the United States and Israel renewed their war against Iran in February. This economic fallout became a major issue during the recent U.S. midterm campaign. International media outlets reacted to the Democratic victory in Congress with headlines focused on the color blue. French newspaper Libération called the result a blue wave. Britain's Daily Mail described it as a historic blue tsunami. The Times of India used the phrase midterm blues for Trump in its headline.
Countries involved in active conflicts paid close attention to the outcome. The Kyiv Independent, a Ukrainian publication, noted the Democratic control of Congress as a potential boost for Ukraine. In contrast, Russia's state-run daily Rossiyskaya Gazeta predicted that President Trump's wrath would fall on Europe after the Republican defeat. The newspaper urged Brussels to brace itself. Iran's Tehran Times labeled the result Operation Midterms Hammer. This was a play on the U.S. military strikes against Iran in June 2025. The article included a cartoon depicting a man slamming a miniature figure of Trump with a hammer.
In Israel, headlines focused on the implications for U.S. support of the Jewish state and the war in Gaza. The Times of Israel highlighted the victory of Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Senate race. The paper noted his pledge to withhold money for what he called apartheid and genocide. Haaretz reported that El-Sayed's win shows opposition to Israel is no barrier to winning battleground states. Neighboring Canada and Mexico also viewed the results as a setback for Trump.
Several foreign leaders made public statements regarding the election outcome. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the focus can now turn to ending wars and lowering prices. He told reporters that the world has an opportunity to unite around the cost of living. Burnham stated that he cannot reduce cost-of-living pressures until conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine are resolved. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on social media that American society voted against policies that impoverish people, hate, and climate denialism.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the people of America have spoken. He made these comments while voting in South Africa's municipal elections. Ramaphosa expressed hope for a new era in world relations and a coming together of minds on a bilateral basis. In Russia, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov suggested the Democratic return to both houses of Congress bodes ill for U.S.-Russian relations. He described the approach of the Democratic activist wing toward Russia as extremely negative. Ryabkov indicated there would be no grand shifts in Russian foreign policy.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius congratulated Democrats on a historic victory. He said Berlin's commitment to cooperating with Washington remains unchanged and that Germany will reach out to both parties. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere described the results as a powerful political signal of a change of course among American voters. He noted that voices emerging in American politics are closer to Norway on climate, environment, and foreign policy issues.
A spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry stated that the midterm elections are an internal affair of the United States. She added that China is willing to continue working with the U.S. to strengthen communication and manage differences. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, Japan's top government spokesman, said the U.S.-Japan alliance remains the cornerstone of Japanese foreign and security policy. He emphasized that the alliance is crucial for maximizing national interests in a volatile global situation.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf commented on social media that Americans said no to war. He warned that if the U.S. government betrays its public will, it will learn that Iran's no comes with a nightmare. In Israel, the midterm results arrived during a period of political uncertainty following parliamentary elections on Oct. 27. Analyst Mairav Zonstein noted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lost his majority and effectively lost two elections in the last week. Israeli opposition leaders Yair Golan and Yair Lapid cited the U.S. results as evidence of Netanyahu's unpopularity and the end of possibilities for a unity government led by him.
